Fruit-gatherer



No. s2o,|95. Patented Feb. 28, I899; c. m. STEWART.

FRUIT GATHERER.

( Application filed Dec. 10, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARRIE MAY STEWART, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

FRUlT-GATHERER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,195, dated February 28, 1899.

Application filed December 10, 1898. Serial No. 698,901. (No model.)

South Bend in the county of St. Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Gatherers';

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to fruit-gatherers; and the object in view is to provide a simple, convenient, reliable, and durable device of the character mentioned in which provision is made for adjusting the receptacle or basket longitudinally upon the pole and also adjusting the angle of the basket with relation to the pole and fruit-detaching device, whereby the basket may be held in a substantially horizontal position while the pole is inclined.

The invention also embodies a novel form of cutter-operating device which gives increased power and by means of which the movable cutter may be advanced toward or moved away from the stationary cutter with a positive action.

The detailed objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a fruit-gatherer complete constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the pole, shaft, &c.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in both views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a pole of any suitable size, length, and material, preferably of wood, and provided along one side with a longitudinal groove 2, forming a seat or bearing for a rock-shaft 3, which extends longitudinally the entire length of the pole. The shaft is retained in the groove 2 by means of retaining-rings 4., any desired number of which may be employed, and is provided at its lower end with an angular-lydisposed handle 5, forming a crank by means of which the shaft may be rocked.

Secured to the farther or upper end of the pole 1 is a stationary blade or cutter 6, held in place by a screw or other suitable fastener 7, entering the end of the pole. Cooperating with the stationary blade 6 is a movable outter 8, which is fast at 9 upon the upper end of the rock-shaft 3, so that as the handle 5 is vibrated the cutter 8 is correspondingly moved toward and away from the stationary blade 6, said parts forming the fruit-detaching means of the implement.

In connection with the pole or cutter I employ a receptacle or basket 10, constructed in the main of mesh-wire fabric and reinforced at its upper edge by a normally horizontal rim 11 of metal, having at its side next to the pole 1 openings 12, through which passes a metal runner-loop 13, connected to the runner-frame 14, having at its lower end a split or divided spring-ring 15, forming a clasp which partially embraces the pole 1 and frictionally retains the runner-frame in any place on the pole where it left when adjusted. The connection between the loop 13 and the rim 11 of the basket forms a pivot-point, so as to allow the basket to be swung or tilted to any angle with relation to the pole. Arranged ata lower point on the pole is a second runner-frame 16, having at its upper end a runner-loop 17 and at its lower end a spring-clasp 18, said parts being similar in every respect to those on the upper runner-frame. Connected to the runner-loop 17 is a brace 19, constructed of spring material, such as wire. The brace 19 is provided at its upper end with a loop 20, which passes through openings 21 in the rim 11 at the side opposite the loop 13. By adjusting either the lower runner or the upper runner independently of each other the basket 10 may be given any desired inclination or angle with relation to the pole, and by adjusting both runners simultaneously the basket, together with its supporting means, may be adjusted longitudinally along the pole, so as to give the desired or necessarydistance between the top of the basket and the fruit-detaching means, consisting of the cutters -6 and 8.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a simple, durable, and reliable fruit-gathering implement in Which a positive action of the movable cutter is obtained in both directions and in which the receptacle or basket for the fruit is capable of being adjusted longitudinally of the pole and also adjusted as to its angle with relation to the pole and cutters. This enables the device as a Whole to be adapted to fruit of any size or character and also enables the horizontality of the basket to be maintained irrespective of the inclination which is given to the pole in the operation of removing fruit from a tree.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a fruit-gatherer,the combination with a pole, of a longitudinal rock-shaft thereon, a basket, and a cutter connected to and operated by said rock-shaft.

2. In afruit-gatherer,the combination with a pole, of a longitudinal rock-shaft and operating means, a stationary cutter, a movable cutter fast on the shaft, and a basket located beneath the cutter.

8. In a fruit-gatherer,the combination with a pole provided with longitudinal groove,

of a rock-shaft mounted in said groove, retaining means therefor, an operating-handle therefor, a stationary blade fast on the pole, and a movable cutter fast on the shaft, substantially as described.

4. In a fruit-gatherer, the combination With a pole, of fruit-detaching means thereon, and a basket adjustable as to its angle and frictionally retained on the pole.

5. In a fruit-gatherer, the combination with a pole, of fruit-detaching means, a basket, and a pair of independently-adjustable runners engaging the pole and having the basket connected thereto.

6. In a fruit-gatherer, the combination with a pole, of a basket having pivotal connection therewith, a frictionally-retained runner embracing the pole, and a spring-brace between said runner and the basket, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARRIE MAY STEWVART. \Vitnesses:

FANNIE Z. STEWART, BEssIE BRICK. 

